Saudi Rotorcraft sets launch plans and new partner in the offing

The new company – born of a current partnership between Boeing, Alsalam Aircraft Company and Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) – is processing final legalities and registration and, according to Yahya Al Ghoraibi, CEO (pictured left) of the Alsalam Aircraft Company, could soon acquire its fourth partner.

“We are waiting for a decision from Sikorsky and anticipate this will come before the company begins operations,” he said. “They are currently looking at the option and we have reserved a slot for them.”

Al Ghoraibi said the decision to form the company, which has appointed Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Khalaf, former VP Business Development of Alsalam Aircraft Company as SRSC’s COO, follows a study which revealed significant Kingdom-wide demand for a helicopter facility.
SRSC will operate from a 5,000 square metre site in Riyadh, which includes a 3,000 square metre hangar which will be devoted to airframe maintenance and which could service eight helicopters simultaneously, and from another hangar currently, within the SAIE facility in Jeddah, and which will be focussed on component support.

Al Ghoraibi said marketing of the facilities and services would begin immediately the company has obtained all its licences with a start-up staff of 12 and the ability to second staff from Alsalam and SAEI.

Abdulrahman Al-Khalaf said the business plan forecast a workforce of up to 240 within 10 years.